Extension Update: May 2007 Archives

Dr. Malcolm Smith is the new Extension Faculty and Specialist, Family Education and Policy. Dr Smith has over 25 years of success in child, family life, and parenting education including skills and experience conducting training for schools, governmental and private agencies.

He has provided training for a diverse range of populations, including Native American Tribes. His Ph.D. is in Human Services and Family Studies with an emphasis in Family Life Education and Consultation at Kansas State University.

Dr. Smith starts his new job on Aug. 20 and will hold a joint appointment with UNH's Department of Family Studies, where he will teach Family Programs and Policies.

Larry Barker is the recipient of two awards in recognition of his outstanding work with youth, the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Manager, and the “Children and Youth Pinnacle Award,” presented by the American Legion Fredonwarell Post 17 of Groveton.

The Volunteers of Coos County nominated Larry Barker for the Governor’s Award, which recognizes individuals for their excellence in program management, initiative in developing available resources, and development and management of a volunteer program at the local and/or state level.

Working annually with more than 300 4-H volunteers within Coos County, Larry understands the importance of an effective volunteer management system that includes recruitment, screening, training and recognition. Larry also serves as the statewide specialist in the 4-H Shooting Sports Certification program. Larry has written and implemented policies to ensure ethical behavior of both adults and youth in the program. 

The Children and Youth Pinnacle Award, presented by William Cowie, Adjutant of the Fredonwarell Post 17 and treasurer of the Coos County Extension Advisory Council, is given to an organization, agency or individual with unsurpassed dedication and commitment to the health, education and welfare of our youth. Larry's involvement with youth sports, children’s substance abuse prevention and the 4-H Youth Development program made him the ideal recipient for this award. Larry is shown in the picture to the left accepting the award from Cowie.

Larry’s work with Cowie led to the support of the NH American Legions for Operation Military Kids Camp. North Country efforts raised over $2,650, and in June at the American Legion conference, that figure will jump to over $5,000. Please join me in congratulating Larry.

For more than a year, Jim Grady has been in the role of Associate Director for Cooperative Extension, as well as the position of Assistant Director/Finance and Human Resources. I have approved the filling of the assistant director's position and named a search committee. Members of the committee are Geoffrey Njue, Julie Sabol, Matt Tarr, Charlene Baxter, Leigh Anne Melanson, Associate Provost for Academic Administration, and Jim Grady, chair.

The plan is to have Jim work directly with his replacement through a fiscal cycle as he continues to fulfill the responsibilities of Associate Director.

You can view the position announcement at UNH's on-line system.

Engaging UNH - Connecting Business with the University of New Hampshire is a new publication from the Office of the Vice President for Research at UNH.

The publication is already available online, and will be sent to New Hampshire businesses and others to help provide them with resources available at the unviersity.These resources and points of contact are identified throughout the document, including contact information for Cooperative Extension and specific Extension programs. Please take a moment to review this new document.

Cooperative Extension staff from throughout the state enjoyed a full day of workshops and activities May 16 at our annual conference at UNH's Memorial Union Building.

Highlights included the awarding of the sixth Maynard & Audrey Heckel Extension Educator Fellowship to Charlie French, an introduction of new staff and a great keynote address by Dr. Woodie Flowers, the Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachuetts Institute of Technology and a Distinguished Partner at Olin College, who talked about "Gracious Professionalism."

The 2007 "Friend of Extension" award was presented to Joe Stone, of Deerfield, a retired New Hampshire legislator who served on the Rockingham County Advisory Council, for his many years of support and commitment to Extension. He is shown in the photo to the left.

Also on hand was Steve Taylor, recognized for his support of Extension throughout his 25-year career as New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of several awards, including the Professional Courtesy Award to Janell George, Hillsborough County, and Nancy Oakley, Moiles House. Receiving the Diversity and Pluralism award were Thom Linehan and Sharon Cowen, Extension Educators, Family & Consumer Resources, and Awilda Muniz, Educational Program Coordinator, Nutrition Connections.

There were three recipients for the Program of Distinction award: Gail Kennedy, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources and Nancy Berry, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, David Leonard, Educational Program Coordinator, Food & Nutrition, and Amanda Stone, Community Conservation Assistance Coordinator. Four staff members received the Performance Beyond Expectations award: Alan Eaton, Extension Professor/Specialist, Entomology, Jim Grady, Associate Director, Steve Judd, Manager, Information Technology & Distance Education and Seth Wilner, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources.

UNH Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Bruce Mallory offered remarks during the recognition program. Special thanks to the Conference Planning Committee for their excellent work in designing this educational and fun-filled event. Members are Charlene Baxter, Shane Bradt, Sue Cagle, David Foote, Becky Levesque, Sadie Puglisi, Gail Ramsey, Deb Russell, Sarah Smith, Barbara Wright and Holly Young.

UNH Cooperative Extension Professor/Specialist Suzann Enzian Knight received the Distinguished Service award from the National Endowment for Financial Education.

The award, which acknowledges those who work to advance financial education in their communities, was presented to her at the MoneySmarts conference in Concord May 9. The conference, sponsored by the NH Jump$tart Coalition, helps educators learn how to increase their own personal financial literacy skills to enhance the delivery of current programs and curriculum, in particular the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program.

"In presenting the NEFE Distinguished Service Award, we demonstrate our appreciation to those who share in our mission: helping all Americans become empowered to achieve their financial independence," said Ted Beck, president and CEO of the Colorado-based National Endowment for Financial Education. "Because of Suzann Enzian Knight's dedication, many people in New Hampshire have gained a renewed sense of hope and determination in managing their finances."

Congratulations, Suzann!

Last month's Nor'Easter is a striking example of how a series of worse case scenarios add up to create havoc and destruction on a statewide basis. Start with frozen and snow covered grounds that kept any rainwater from being absorbed into the soil. Add to that the previous fall storms and January thaw, which had already raised groundwater to relatively high levels. Then add the seven-plus inches of rain that pelted the landscape in a short period of time. The result was an impressive display of the power of flowing water. In fact, the US Geological Survey reported the highest flows ever recorded for five of the rivers in southern New Hampshire.

The infamous Mother's Day floods of last year, however, actually recorded a higher total rainfall level (in Durham that storm totaled just over 11 inches compared to the 7.5 inches for last month's storm). While that storm resulted in substantial damage in select areas of the state, the ground was snow and ice free, most of the trees had leafed out and spring vegetation was sprouting. The protection that vegetative cover affords against the force of water is substantial. Leaves, branches and stems absorb much of the potential energy of rainfall. Extensive root systems hold the soil in place.

Overland water flow from storm events and thaws is called "runoff." As we clear the land of natural vegetation and our communities spread outward, we increase the occurrences of runoff through the creation of impervious surfaces. Impervious surfaces like roads, roofs, parking lots and compacted areas allow water to collect and flow as opposed to vegetated areas and wetlands that allow water to pond and infiltrate into the ground. The more we can limit and breakup these impervious areas and promote more vegetated areas, the less runoff and erosion will result. This can be done on individual properties as well as through innovative community planning.

To learn more about how landscaping choices can actually improve water quality by treating runoff situations, refer to UNH Cooperative Extension's newest publication: "Landscaping at the Water's Edge: An Ecological Approach to Shoreline Landscaping."

Please join me in congratulating the following staff for their years of service to UNH Cooperative Extension. They were formally recognized Friday during the UNH 2007 Staff Recognition Program, hosted by Interim President J. Bonnie Newman and the UNH Council Chairs.

This year, there were 192 Operating Staff, PAT and Extension Educator staff recognized for their years of service and outstanding contributions to the University. Their combined years of service equal 3,640 years.

Recognized for 10 years of service:
Tim Fleury, Extension Educator, Forest Resources
Mary Tebo, Extension Educator, Community Forestry
Steve Judd, Manager, Information Technology & Distance Education
Dan Reidy, Extension Educator, Community Development

15 Years
Cheryl Carter, Administrative Assistant
Christine Parshall, Extension Program Associate, Food & Nutrition
Deb Russell, Administrative Assistant

20 Years
Larry Barker, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Margaret Hagen, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources
Deb Luppold, Extension Professor/Specialist, Food & Nutrition
Alice Mullen, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources
Jeff Schloss, Extension Professor/Specialist, Water Resources

25 Years
Charlotte Cross, Extension Professor/Specialist, 4-H Youth Development

Presidential Award of Excellence
Alan Eaton, Extension Professor/Specialist in Entomology, received the UNH Presidential Award of Excellence. In nominating Alan for this award, it was noted that he epitomizes the mission of UNH Cooperative Extension, bringing research-based education and information to New Hampshire residents.

Alan has conducted research on numerous integrated pest management topics in this state for more than 20 years. His work has resulted in the state's farmers saving many thousands of dollars. This reduction also protects the state's environmental resources such as water and wildlife.

Last year, Alan compiled a guide on effectively using control methods for mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis and sent these guides to all town governments in time for spring Town Meeting sessions so voters and selectmen could make informed decisions about protecting NH citizens. He also gave several presentations to decision-makers and state health officials regarding EEE in New Hampshire.

In addition to his multiple duties and teaching responsibilities, Alan chronically updates New England guides for Integrated Pest Management for fruits and vegetables and identifies unknown bugs for the public. Please join me in congratulating Alan.

Have you noticed the new eXtension button on the home page of our web site? That button will connect you to the latest "communities of practice" and showcase how eXtension, a national effort, is working towards transforming the way Extension works.

Staff involved in New Hampshire currently include David Foote, leading our state team, Holly Young on the national marketing committee, Paul Bonaparte-Krogh on the national governing committee and specialists Suzanne Knight, Charlie French and Shane Bradt all have been involved in specific Communities of Practice.

We are fortunate as well to have Terry Meisenbach of the national eXtension team at our May 16 conference. Terry will be leading a workshop on eXtension and will be available throughout the day with information on eXtension. This is an important new initiative that all of us will want learn more about. Click on the eXtension button to learn more.

A New Hampshire high school recently won the National Ocean Science Bowl. Conval High School's national Ocean Sciences Bowl Team consisting of captain Lily Beyer, Lindsay MacLeod, Ryan Howe, Nick Matthews and Nathan Potter won during the national championship event held at Stony Brook University. They have worked closely with Sharon Meeker and Mark Wiley over the past decade competing each year in the Nor'easter Ocean Sciences Bowl.

There were 25 regional championship teams from all over the nation. Conval was the winner of the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont competition. On the first day of competition, Conval won all of its matches in the double elimination tournament. On the final day of competition, the team defeated the 2006 national champion, Lincoln/Sudbury High School in Sudbury, MA., and the 2005 national champion, Cranston-West High School from Cranston, RI., twice, to secure the title. Grand prize for the team is an eight-day trip to the island of Maui. Team Coaches are Jon Manley and Ken Cloutier. Congratulations!